Seattle U vs. Portland Mens' Basketball

Seattle vs. Portland conjures memories of classic rivalriesSonics-Blazers, Sounders-Timbers, even (going way back) Rainiers-Beavers. But with our former NBA team in Oklahoma City and Portland's MLS expansion entry not taking the pitch until next month, tonight's college basketball game at the Key is the best duel in town. Coached by former UW assistant Cameron Dollar, Seattle U found unexpected success last season, going 17-14 in its first Division I campaign since 1980. The Redhawks have struggled this season at 8-13, thanks in part to a brutal schedule that has included just seven home games. Their offense is balanced, with four playersAaron Broussard, Sterling Carter, Alex Jones, and Cervante Burrellscoring in double figures, but they've come up short defensively, especially on the perimeter. That spells trouble against Portland, with two of the country's top 3-point shooters in Nemanja Mitrovic and Jared Stohl. The Pilots' main man has a familiar name: senior forward Luke Sikma, son of Sonics legend Jack, leads Portland in scoring, rebounding, and steals. Two more reasons to go: The #32 jersey of Tom Workman, who starred for Seattle U in the mid-'60s, will be retired at halftime; and there's a special Family Value Pack, with four tickets, four hot dogs, and two soft drinks (a $90 value) going for $50. MICHAEL MAHONEY